Obviously if the barn policy is that he must be turned out alone because he is shod, you can’t do anything about that (since you say he NEEDS the hind shoes), but I wonder if it’s not the turnout that he has a problem with, but the ALONE turnout.
I’m not saying there aren’t horses that don’t like turnout, because there are, but there is a difference between a horse being turned out with buddies … versus just being able to see buddies. Some really need that physical contact.
@beau159 That could be. However, he has been on individual turnout since before I got him. The previous owner said she didn’t do group turnout. He’s content all day out on his own, doesn’t really run or fuss much at all other than getting some bucks out first thing in the morning when he’s feeling good. He grazes and generally seems relaxed until he decides it’s time to come in. Usually he goes 7AM - 7PM without a problem.
I have two horses, both OTTB’s and both on 24/7 turnout. One does have a run in, but can go to the barnyard when there is a lot of snow or ice in the winter and the other horses get the stall with a walkout stall off the back. This one is a very ulcerprone and idiopathic colic guru, so 24/7 has been the best for him. He’s fully clipped in the fall-spring and has more blankets than the average horse. He’s not been cold yet or been miserable. He’s also out alone because my barn owner has the same hind shoes rule and also because he liked to play in his younger years…he’s 8 now. He literally has zero issues being alone and I’m pretty sure he prefers it because he’s got more room for activities! He does have a buddy across the fence and will stand and socialize with him when he’s not doing his own thing! My second one came direct from the track and hadn’t been turned out in 3 years. He went to an isolation field with a run in and literally didn’t leave the run in for about 10 days! He’s been off the track since middle October and finally took to the rogue lifestyle middle to late winter. He’s got a buddy and a run in and loves it! I used to be so hell bent on having my horses in because that’s what you did on the A circuit, but they seriously can manage and tolerate once you do some ignoring to let them figure out the new routine. At 18 and having been a solid show horse, this is a new concept for him! Trust me, the wind, snow, rain, storms, bugs etc. will be fine. They adapt and figure it all out! Mine are both thin skinned wimpy chestnut delicate princess flowers called geldings. Ones currently covered in dirt, manure and tree sap and the other is covered in dirt and hives because he’s allergic to all things Virginia and pig weed…which he currently is eating, standing, rolling and probably sleeping in just to test my nerves. It might be worth getting some ACE to help him settle during the times he gets most anxious and then back off the amount each day for a few days. It worked well for me when a previous horse had to be acclimated back into turnout life after a bad injury. Also make sure you feed grain and hay outside and that the hay is free choice.
THIS. :lol:
Seriously, that’s probably the funniest, most accurate thing I’ve ever heard - my horse is also a delicate princess flower called a gelding. Heaven forbid there’s a fly within a mile radius :eek:.
Thank you for the advice, too! I’m hoping I can work with my BM to figure out a solution that works for everyone involved… opinionated chestnut beast included.
My mare will panic if she’s doesn’t have access to her loafing shed (I don’t have stalls) by twilight - she will pace, scream and work herself into a sweaty mess, even with her buddy calmly grazing beside her.
As long as she has access to said shelter, she’s content, and often goes back out to graze in the dark. If my rotation plan has her in the pasture without shelter access, I just make sure to bring her in before dark.
Leave him where he’s happy and stop trying to force 24/7 turnout on him.
@scrbear11 I’m not trying to force anything on him - I’m in a difficult position because my BM does not seem to understand that he’s unhappy with 24/7 turnout. I’d be perfectly fine keeping his routine the way it is, but I’m getting a lot of pressure from the BM.
Ahhh, I understand… If BM cannot see that the horse is unhappy she’s either clueless or very hands off. Leave him where he’s happy. I have three in my barn of retirees that do not tolerate 24/7 turnout.
I am willing to bet the problem is that he is alone, not that he is out.
I have run in stalls so my horses can come and go 24/7 (I never lock them in/out). One is a total stall potato and prefers it unless there are no bugs, weather is perfect etc. The other is the opposite. They have their preferences. They both prefer to eat their hay inside at night, though. Do what works—otherwise things like ulcers can become a big problem.
My mare hated 24/7 turnout, even with other mares. I knew by her behavior,and I don’t think she slept much lying down even though I tried for 2 months. She wanted her stall to sleep and relax in. I bucked up the $$ and got a stall. She was so much happier. When in PA, the horses were out for 12 and in for 12, but the BO’s horse, who came from Holland, just hated being out. He’d run the fenceline at the gate after 2 hours, and was much happier in his stall with a window looking out over the other horses. So he got 2 hours of turnout a day. We think he just hated bugs and was likely stalled for most of his life. Nature = ugghhh to him.
My current gelding loves his 24/7 turnout and dislikes stalls (even though he was raised with 12 hr stalls), but he also hates rain and intense sun and loves his shed, which he shares with neighbors. He is alone in the pasture because he doesn’t play well with others at feeding time. He has been in a pasture with others, but does best with maybe one other horse in a big enough pasture. He doesn’t have innate social skills (bred/raised at a large dressage breeding facility, raised in an individual pasture with neighbors)
Can your BM work with him? If not, maybe it is best to find another barn?
The funny thing is that both of my mares were raised outside 24x7. But I don’t think either grew up with biting gnats. We have mild winters down here so they are happy to be outside in the winter but the one mare is a grouchy bitch if she has to sleep outside.They adapted really well to a stall in the summer with a fan:)
I too have an elderly princess. In her younger days, she was a pampered show horse, and expects to be kept in this style for the remainder of her life. She likes her stall, and has me well trained to respond to her requests to return to it. I know she wants in, as she will stand in the corner of the pasture closest to the house. She stares, calls, paws, and paces until a human responds.
She does not like to be outdoors if it is buggy, too hot, too cold, raining, snowing heavily etc. LOL, I swear to God she is afraid of the dark!! As nightfall approaches, she really ramps it up, demanding to be back in her stall. She shares with other horses, but ignores them once she has decided “enough outdoors for today”. When she can see me leaving the house she will run to the gate. I open the gate, she trots across the yard, into the barn, and into her stall. I follow to close doors.
Something that I haven’t seen mentioned yet…What about bringing him in for his evening meal and then putting him back out again after an hour or so?
I had a mare who could not handle 24/7 turnout, she would have a mental breakdown and end up at the vet’s. She was very happy to have turn out in a few hour blocks. So she would spend 2-4 hours out at a time and then come in for 1-2 hours to relax. She spent the night locked up in her stall and loved it, she felt safe being inside at night.
If he reacts negatively to night turn out then, if it was my personal horse, I would bring him in at night. A happy horse will make for a happy owner, and he will be less likely to get ulcers.
My youngster has had a variety of options including pasture with run in shed and prefers turnout in the daytime and being brought in to his stall with 24x24 paddock attached at night. He is not neurotic about it, but in the late afternoon stands near the gate in his large paddock and makes it clear that going to his stall is what he wants. In both locations he has horses next to him, and he is free fed from hay nets in both locations so its not a food issue. Do whatever makes your horse happy!
Is there a shelter in his turnout? I have one that seems to feel very insecure if she’s turned out alone with no shelter. She paces and is agitated. But if there is shelter or walkout stall access, she’s fine with 24/7 outdoor access (she goes in and out, but will sleep in both places depending on bugs, sun, etc.). If she turns out with a buddy she’s OK without shelter in reasonable (not blizzard or downpour) weather. So for her I think it’s a security thing and she needs shelter OR a friend IN the paddock with her. YMMV. Good luck!
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
